Renal effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in hypertension

This review focuses on the renal effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, captopril and enalapril. Emphasis is placed on the renal response to these drugs in patients with primary essential hypertension, and in hypertension accompanying renal parenchymal disease. Specifically reviewed are the renal function and hemodynamic, salt and water, body fluid composition, and urinary protein excretion responses. The interruption of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis has the potential to produce a variety of favorable renal responses, including reduction of renal vascular resistance, enhancement of renal blood flow, enhancement of glomerular filtration rate, acute natriuresis, sustained diuresis, and a decrease in urinary protein excretion. Data in support of these potential renal perturbations are presented and discussed. The results suggest that the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are important therapeutic agents in the treatment of hypertensive disease, in that they may modify pathophysiologic renal abnormalities encountered in this disease state.